Area 51

An Uncensored History of America's Top Secret Military Base

By: Annie Jacobsen

Narrated by: Annie Jacobsen

Length: 16 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

This "compellingly hard-hitting" best seller from a Pulitzer Prize finalist gives listeners the complete untold story of the top-secret military base for the first time. (New York Times).

It is the most famous military installation in the world. And it doesn't exist. Located a mere s75 miles outside of Las Vegas in Nevada's desert, the base has never been acknowledged by the US government - but Area 51 has captivated imaginations for decades.

Myths and hypotheses about Area 51 have long abounded, thanks to the intense secrecy enveloping it. Some claim it is home to aliens, underground tunnel systems, and nuclear facilities. Others believe that the lunar landing itself was filmed there. The prevalence of these rumors stems from the fact that no credible insider has ever divulged the truth about his time inside the base. Until now.

Annie Jacobsen had exclusive access to 19 men who served the base proudly and secretly for decades and are now aged 75-92, and unprecedented access to 55 additional military and intelligence personnel, scientists, pilots, and engineers linked to the secret base, 32 of whom lived and worked there for extended periods. In Area 51, Jacobsen shows us what has really gone on in the Nevada desert, from testing nuclear weapons to building super-secret, supersonic jets to pursuing the War on Terror.

This is the first book based on interviews with eye witnesses to Area 51 history, which makes it the seminal work on the subject. Filled with formerly classified information that has never been accurately decoded for the public, Area 51 weaves the mysterious activities of the top-secret base into a gripping narrative, showing that facts are often more fantastic than fiction, especially when the distinction is almost impossible to make.

©2011 Annie Jacobson (P)2011 Hachette

great

great listen not what I thought it was but even better... not sure what to say now lol

Very worthwhile read until the last chapters

Ms Jacobsen has had a series of well written and enlightening books of which this is an example. However her last chapters make scurrilous assertions which are in no way supported by facts. She suggests that the Russians encased living mutants, courtesy of a deal with the devil Mengele, in a flying saucer like flying platform, and drops them in Area 51 of Nevada in the the second half of of the 1940's. These mutants are either drugged or pithed include some who survived the crash. The design of this craft is courtesy of the Nazi aircraft designer Horten Brothers. She further asserts that US scientist also performed Mengele like experiments on American children from a nearby home. She does not suggest how the flying saucer could have possibly gotten from Russia to Nevada. It is though the author determined to meld HG Wells and Steven KIng to spice up her story. Unfortunately by her assertions, and by her documentation that a large part of the American populace believe the moon landings a sham, she has a ready audience who believe her assertions which indicts the morality of those now dead who cannot defend themselves.

Awesome Book

Great Book. Alot of interesting information. the author narrated the book. Very well written. Awsome

Riveting story!

I went into this book after hearing her interview in the Joe Rogan podcast. I wish they wouldn’t have spoiled the ending on that interview but nevertheless this is an amazing story and goes into many black projects. It brings many stories you have heard through the years and ties them up nicely asking some of the real questions. Kudos to the author Annie for doing all the research and talking with those involved. A fantastic read!

Just OK

It should be titled “History of Air Espionage” as what it feels most of the book is about. Overall unimpressed.

good listening. I enjoyed the stories.

I liked the detail.
it was a great look into the history and lore of Area 51 and the science that came out of it.

Annie Jacobsen is a rock star!

If you or anyone that you know has an inquisitive mind and any interest in American history, I would highly recommend all of Annie's books. Although separate in subject matter, the characters and stories are so interwoven that one can't read just one of her books. Read them all and stand back in admiration of the full picture of our societal, cultural, and political maturation and growth.

Excellent reporting and writing

It profound in some ways scary look at the role of the atomic energy commission CIA and others in their uncontrolled experimentations and super secret area 51. Well worth the time to read and ponder

loved this book!

This book was my first introduction to Annie Jacobsen, and i loved it so much i have listened to all of her books and listened to Area 51 a second time.

Her story-telling is masterful and her voice is easy to listen to. ❤️

Very Thought Provoking

I found the book very interesting and the also great. Info in this I never heard before.